Decorating for the Holidays

Many magazines will show you ways to decorate, but when they do the before and after, the photograph is never taken from the same angle. As an artist and a photographer that bothers me. The perception of some people is to recreate what they see and that perspective is important.

Here is a step by step to creating a dining table for the holidays.

 The inspiration is from Classic Hollywood. I've been watching a lot of old black and white films thanks to MoviestvNetwork. The color scheme is black and silver. A table cloth is used to match the chairs.

 A mirror is placed in the center of the table for illumination, reflection and ambience in the room.

The table runner was one I had picked up at IKEA, but since I could never find what I was looking for I decided to embellish it with mirrors.

 Then the other items for display are added. A sculpture candle libra and two candle holders. Clear and crackled glass adds to the classic look.

You can add placements before or wait until your guests arrive and are ready to eat. Adding the placements doesn't allow the mirror to show through. Then add the plates I used black and white with alternating napkins and silver napkin rings. Salt and pepper shakers are clear plastic, but you can use glass as well.

 This is a different variation of the finished table without the placemats. I also did a variation without the table runner since I wanted the mirror to act as the focal point. It only takes about an hour to pull this look together and you can use what you have on hand instead of going out and spending money.

Sandra Bernhard

I am not sure when I became a fan of Sandra Bernhard. I don’t recall which television interview she was doing. I do remember her being on Arsenio Hall a lot when he had his first talk show.

(This is the photograph from the first time I met Sandra Bernhard at the Seattle International Film Festival.)

Somewhere along the line I stumbled across Without You I’m Nothing and it was her rendition of Prince’s Little Red Corvette that I found interesting. The next to nothing costume also helped. She sort of went underground and then in 1997 I met her at the Seattle International Film Festival.

 In her recent show at the Zachery Scott Topfer theater, she mentioned those awkward moments where you meet people you’ve admired and they sort of disappoint you. Our meeting was almost like that. It wasn’t that she disappointed me because she did allow me to photograph her and sign my catalog. It was the fact that the audience didn’t respond the way she had hoped and she walked out of the theater. I remember getting my hands on I’m Still Here Damn It and seeing her in a few shows off and on. She appeared in the Documentary Unzipped which was about fashion designer Isaac Mizrah and one of his collections. She played a writing instructor on the L Word and she appeared in the film Dare which I happened to stumble across and it seemed of interest.

In her new show she talks about the people who were managing her career and how it seemed to put her in oblivion. Now she is working her way back and talking about it. The show is personal, funny, and she drops the F bomb a lot. She talks about everyone, almost.

There were several moments that really made me laugh, but I think the funniest moment for me was when she talked about what she thought it must have been like for Michelle and Barrack Obama the first night in the white house.

I was looking at my photographs that I had taken and I realized how interesting her face is. Herb Ritts captured those lips and they were the cover of the Notorious book. Sandra Bernhard has always been controversial perhaps that’s the other thing I liked about her. I seem to gravitate toward those that are different and challenge the system.

After the show was over I waited to see if I could get a minute just to say that I liked the show and remind her where we met. I’m not sure if she really remembered, but she seemed as if she did. She told me to contact so and so which was a good gesture. I may or may not do it. It would be great if I could get clearance to use my photos in a book or have her people use them. Still, I have the memories of literally rubbing elbows with Sandra Bernhard.

I had come up with several titles for a book of the celebs I’ve met. I like the title Rubbing Elbows. It seems suggestive, but most of the time you just happen to be in the room with someone and you pass by them, brushing elbows and you glance, smile; maybe say a kind word.



Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.

Check out some of my art at Bluecanvas.com/Oznol. Some of these are for sale. Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

Thirst

Currently there is an installation in Lady Bird Lake called “Thirst”. The 35 foot cedar teim has been painted white to represent death. It is also being called the ghost tree. The tree is to memorialize the 300 trees lost in the recent drought throughout Texas.

(I'm not sure if this image can be enlarged so that you can read the artists' synopsis of the installation.)

(This is a line of silk screen prints of the tree that runs about 20 or 30 feet. I like the way they look with the skyline and clouds in the back ground.)

(This is a close up of one of the trees that make the banner.)

(I decided to capture the tree in black and white just to see how it would come out.)

(This is the tree in color which is located between S. Lamar and the Pedestrian bridge.Here the tree really looks dead.)

(This is the tree at night which really gives it that ghostly feel.)

The artist behind the public art piece is Belli Liu. Yesterday when I went to take the pictures there was a film crew looking for people to tell their story. I wasn't sure if they were only looking for women, but there have been more women attracted to this piece. It may have to do with the fact that Women and Their Works are sponsoring the project. I also don't know if the stories have to do with water or with trees or death. If I go back again I'll ask some questions.

Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.

Check out some of my art at Bluecanvas.com/Oznol. Some of these are for sale. Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=58144381
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54325957
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54365247

While you’re here, why not become a follower (fan).
Taking it one day at a time and keep the faith.

Check back and see where this journey leads. Check out the links below to my other blogs and videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmgUzGZGt98

The above link is a video for an organic flutist in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hciIcHFm3Yw&NR=1

The above is a link of a performance from Oz in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qcybZsUzc

The above link is for a promo of a DJ in New Orleans.

http://www.myspace.com/darqueleight/music/songs/d-bohemian-31098704

Computer generated music.

The Story behind the ART

Even some of my drawings have stories as to how and why they were created. I will go into a store and see things that I would like to have, but I may find the price out of my budget or I just don't feel its worth the price. As an artist there are a lot of things I can create myself when I decide its what I really would like to have.

 (This is the quick sketch.)

Many years ago I saw an in image and I made a quick sketch of it.
 Last year I made a drawing of that sketch and worked on it for several months off and on. I have an art pad filled with drawings that are waiting to be colored and either put into a portfolio or framed for display.

(This is the finished drawing, ink, colored pencils, and markers.)

This drawing recently made its debut on Bluecanvas which is a site in which I display some of my art. Some of it is for sale and some of it is just there to be viewed.

It's original title is lady waiting. On Bluecanvas I'm calling it Glamour.

The Story behind the Photograph (Part 11)

I first met Coca in 2009. I am not a big fan of drag. I guess mainly because its people lip sinking. Even an artist doesn’t always get particular art forms. I do remember watching Jim Bailey on various shows doing what he did, but he considered himself an illusionist. It was a well deserved title as he brought the dead back to life with his Judy Garland performance and he was great as Barbara Streisand.

(It starts with the face. Doesn't matter what someone does, if I am going to photograph them they have to have a face.)

I think the other reason I wasn’t a big fan is because it all looked the same. Maybe I was too young to understand it.
In 2005 I was in Louisville, Kentucky and a friend took me to one of those competitions. I wish I had brought my camera, but I didn’t know it that was allowed. I saw some of the best performances I had ever seen. A lot of the performers did their own singing and they were really performing. There were a few performances that were just incredible. One performer did Janet Jackson, another did Tina Turner and a group did their version of Queen’s Bohemian Rapsody which if I had to select a winner it would have been them. They presented the song as if Edward Scissorhands were the boy. This was beyond drag, this was illusion.

This where my fascination with Coca comes in. After talking I decided I’d like to try to do a video of the transformation process. I’ve always been interested in why some people do what they do and how they get ready. Of course Coca is outstanding and does sing as well. These are only a few still shots as most of my time with Coca is shooting video footage.

(Performing Stevie Nicks' Bombay Saphire at a benefit at the Golden Lantern bar in New Orleans.)

(Below you’ll find links to my videos which should lead you to find videos that I shot of Coca.)

My project with Coca is on going. Every time I go to New Orleans I try to shoot some video. We still have to work on an interview and I am going to have to reshoot the transformation process. That’s art, sometimes its never completed. We learn to work with what we have.

(Coca as Lucille Ball doing that famous vitamin sketch.)

Coming up: Jack, The Story behind the photograph (Celebs)

Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.

Check out some of my art at Bluecanvas.com/Oznol. Some of these are for sale. Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=58144381
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54325957
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54365247

While you’re here, why not become a follower (fan).
Taking it one day at a time and keep the faith.

Check back and see where this journey leads. Check out the links below to my other blogs and videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmgUzGZGt98

The above link is a video for an organic flutist in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hciIcHFm3Yw&NR=1

The above is a link of a performance from Oz in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qcybZsUzc

The above link is for a promo of a DJ in New Orleans.

http://www.myspace.com/darqueleight/music/songs/d-bohemian-31098704

Computer generated music.

Keep Austin Weird

The Keep Austin Weird fest and 5K was yesterday. The party began at 2 P.M. and the 5K race began at 7 P.M. I decided I would go out and see if I could get some interesting pictures. There was so much going on. Here are a few of the photographs that I took.

Runners of all ages took part in the Keep Austin Weird 5K.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe this was the winner of the race.

People dressed in costumes to show their weirdness.

Two women celebrate in a playful pose after crossing the finish line.

Even Jason Voohries was resurrected to run the race heading South on First Street.

Supergirl and Batgirl joined the festivities.

These are the Mexican split tail bats flying out from under the Congress St. bridge. The Bridge is also named after Ann Richards. 

I may have told this story on one of my other blogs. 

Austin was never on my list of places to see until I read an article in the Times Picayune in 1997, about the bats in Austin. When I arrived in Austin I had forgotten all about it, but then one day while watching the weather the reporter mentioned the movement on the radar was that of the bats. Still it took two or three more years before a friend took me down to see the bats. I was so excited, but I was standing on the bridge and it didn't make for great pictures or video. I knew I needed to stand under the bridge to get some light from the sky. I took that opportunity since I was downtown for the race and to photograph the super moon.

Yesterday was what meteorologists call the super moon. This was the main reason I decided to go downtown, and I got a pretty decent shot.

Thanks for stopping by. Do come back again and remember to keep an open mind.

It's all about Pam Grier today

 The actress and author turns 64. Happy Birthday, wherever you are celebrating.

 I completed this colored version yesterday. The original sketch was done back in the early 80's.

Coming up:  Coca, Jack, The Story behind the photograph (Celebs)









Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.

Check out some of my art at Bluecanvas.com/Oznol. Some of these are for sale. Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=58144381
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54325957
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54365247

While you’re here, why not become a follower (fan).
Taking it one day at a time and keeping the faith.

Check back and see where this journey leads. Check out the links below to my other blogs and videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmgUzGZGt98

The above link is a video for an organic flutist in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hciIcHFm3Yw&NR=1

The above is a link of a performance from Oz in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qcybZsUzc

The above link is for a promo of a DJ in New Orleans.

http://www.myspace.com/darqueleight/music/songs/d-bohemian-31098704

Computer generated music.

The Art behind the Photograph Part 10

In 2010, I took a job at a bar in the French Quarter working security. As I’ve mentioned before, most of the people I’ve photographed, I’ve worked with in some capacity.

The minute I saw F.D., I knew he had that certain something and I wanted to photograph him. There is a process in getting someone to pose in front of my camera. Its all part of the Art from start to finish. The introduction has to be just right. A professional doesn’t want to come across as being creepy.

I remember when I first started taking photographs and I’d meet girls and I’d ask them to pose they looked at me as if I only wanted to photograph them naked. I always give the individual the choice, but my focus has always been fashion. Some of the sexiest photos are of those with their clothes on. Of course everything is in the eye of the beholder.

Now, back to our model, F.D. he was working as a bar back and I had explained to him I would be in town for a while and if it might be possible to photograph him. He smiled and said he was looking for a photographer. This is one of those times that I feel it was meant to be. There are many photographers in the city. I was at the right place at the right time. I scouted a few locations. Some of which I had used before, but I’m always looking to try something different. I often do pictures with people just to do them. Perhaps the model I wanted wasn’t available or I open my mouth about an idea and someone will say they would be up for the challenge. Then I just go through with it. Sometimes I really get something I like from the experience.

Some of the shots with F.D. were original and some I had tried with another model, but I didn’t get what I was looking for. I photographed F.D. on two occasions and I know if its meant to be, somewhere down the line I’ll have another opportunity.

Coming up: The Nexx Fazz of Models, Coca, Jack









Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.

Check out some of my art at Bluecanvas.com/Oznol. Some of these are for sale. Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=58144381
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54325957
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54365247

While you’re here, why not become a follower (fan).
Taking it one day at a time and keeping the faith.

Check back and see where this journey leads. Check out the links below to my other blogs and videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmgUzGZGt98

The above link is a video for an organic flutist in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hciIcHFm3Yw&NR=1

The above is a link of a performance from Oz in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qcybZsUzc

The above link is for a promo of a DJ in New Orleans.

http://www.myspace.com/darqueleight/music/songs/d-bohemian-31098704

Computer generated music.

Random images of Austin, Texas

(I enjoy photographing other photographers. They are like models in their stance and posture.)

(Above actors rehearse at the Zach Scott Theater for an upcoming outdoor performance.)

(Below a picture of a pigeon. I love the iridescent color around the next and breast. The intensity in the eye.)

(Bolts from the pedestrian bridge crossing Lady Bird Lake)

(This is from the procession on May 6, 2013 for the police officers who died in the line of duty.)

(Below is a photographer at the Kite festival earlier this year at Zilker Park.)

Images from my weekend

(I took this image Sunday afternoon on the bridge over Lady Bird Lake near the Barton Springs bridge which you can see filled with cars.)

Photography is just like anything else, you have to keep doing it to get good at it. I am a very visual person so I have an eye for what works and what doesn't. Even though I've been taking pictures for over 35 years, I have only been shooting digital since 2004. I came to the realization around that time that I was an artist that happen to take pictures. I try to recreate in digital what I did with film. I very seldom use photo shop. If I can't capture you the way you are then no need to make you look like someone your not. And even if a subject want to look different, that's what make up is for, but I tend to stay away from people who wear too much. I like to photograph natural beauty.

 (This was an early morning shot as the sun was in the East.) 

I've always loved skylines, but its difficult to capture them unless you have access to a pedestrian bridge or someone else is driving while you take pictures. 

(This is a reflection of a condo about a mile away from the Zachery Scott Theater.)

I am always looking to try something different, but I also like to do things I've done in the past. I try to copy myself sometimes as opposed to copying other photographers. Sometimes you realize someone has already done what you're doing so you have to think of a subtle way to make it your own.

(The sculpture is called Cowbella) This is near the Bobby Pavillion at the Zachery Scott Theater. I took this one Sunday evening after attending the performance of Too Darn Fosse in the Kleberg Theater.)

I enjoy taking pictures of nature, but you have to be very patient. I guess when I was younger like most people I just didn't want to sit in one place waiting for that perfect shot. People are a lot easier. When you become one with nature the creatures aren't afraid of you.

 Another skyline pic, mid afternoon from Lady Bird Lake.

Feel free to leave comments about my photos or any of my art.

Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind. Become a follower while you're here.